District Merit Badge "Deans"

[Ray Brown]

Greetings, all. First post here. I have several positions in my District, being a Unit Commissioner and the District FOS Chair. But I also volunteered last year to be my District's Merit Badge Dean, so I'm the person that's in charge of the list of approved Merit Badge Counselors.

My biggest project was verifying everyone that was on the list. The list was anywhere from 5 to 12 years old, and yes, a few MBCs had passed on to that great Campground In The Sky. But I have a cleaned-up list now.

I'd just like to see if there's anyone else here in this same position, so that we can compare notes. Thank you.

[riverwalk]

Welcome fellow Scouter of many hats. I haven't held that position, though I do help with MB's. I think that's a widespread issue, keeping Counselor lists current.

Perhaps one way to help is having a UC, coach, adoptive Scouter...whatever, for each Unit. I've used these terms and others, like Lifesaver before. I've been trying to stir up people around here, after seeing another Pack disolve! Point being, if someone is interfacing with a Unit for some things.....why can't they assess or update all things related to the Program? If I'm checking the health of a Unit, or watching their Recharter efforts, etc.....why can't I make sure they're getting and communicating any changes/updates re: their Members' status? Just an idea, and I realize that's not what you're seeking. But these kinds of forums are big Roundtables I think.

[Mrw]

We certainly have had that problem with our list.

The newest list seems to have been cleaned up, but last year's still had people who I knew had wanted off 2-3 years before.

[ynotquilt]

I know that our council MBC list is out of date, but not by that much. With everything computerized, I don't know why it isn't more automated. With everyone having to fill out the application now, they're listed in the main database. When I call up council though, I have to know a person's name to ask if they are a MBC for merit badge "X". Seems counterproductive that it can't go the other way.

Wish it were easier. I'm, a newer MBC, and I'm not listed on the list since it predates my switching over to boy scouts from cubs. Know we also have quite a few other "newer" MBC from just our troop. Makes it harder on the boys to get the badges when there might be a counselor right there locally, but they just aren't on the current list.

Does everyone seem to have a problem with having a relatively current list in their council?

[wagionvigil]

What we do here is yearly mail goes out to those Counselors that have not been active. They are asked if they wish to stay on or be taken off. After the time period if there is no response they are taken off the list. The new counselors are added and each troop in the District gets an updated copy of the list.

[Mrw]

That is the same thing they say about our list, but somehow, the names don't come off.

What do you say when you picked a name off the list for a boy to do a merit badge and he calls you the next day to tell you that person had died a year ago?

If I know the people on the list for a badge, I will send them to someone I know. Sometimes that is not an option.

[wagionvigil]

It is done the best it can be without requiring a new application each year. There will be faults. BUT if someone refuses a kid they are immediately removed and the list is posted in our council newsletter that goes out every other month.

[Chief J]

I am not the District MErit Badge Dean, but am friends with him. I know when he took over the list a couple of years ago, it was very outdated, he sent out mailings to everyone on the list, asked for copies of applications to try and ensure new counselors were added, and bassically tried to come up with a good product.

Additionally, I know he purchased Merit Badge Counselor for Windows and used that to aid his efforts. After all was said and done, the list looked very different from what he started with. It is not perfect, but I do not think you could have a perfect list as people add and drop all the time.

As for what I do in the Troop, I utilize the Merit Badge Counselor section of Troopmaster to keep the Merit Badge Counselors who have a connection with the Troop up to date. ( I do this when I am given their application to sign). Also, if they are seperating from the Troop, I will ask them if they are still interested in being a Merit Badge Counselor. I also utilize the District MBC list to find counselors also. If I see someone I know, I will recomend that person as a counselor. If it is someone I do not know, and the Scout has a problem with an appointment or contact, I relay that information back to our District Advancement Chair who is the merit badge dean.

Chief J

[Lynda J]

When we do our recharter we ask that each troop update their MBC List.
They only have to bring new forms on new councelors. The others they simply have to verify addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.
This will be our second year to do this and it seems to be working.
This is one of my responsililityes for our troop.

[scout_momx2]

We have a similar situation. Council has agreed to keep a master schedule based on units' recharter information. Good luck!